This is the open and flexible firmware and bootstrapping system for creating RNode devices.
An RNode is an open, free and unrestricted digital radio transceiver. It enables anyone to send and receive any kind of data over both short and very long distances. RNodes can be used with many different kinds of programs and systems, but they are especially well suited for use with Reticulum.
Depeding on configuration, it can be used for local networking purposes, or to send data over very long distances. Once you have an RNode, there is a wide variety of possible uses:
The RNode Firmware supports the following boards:
The RNode Firmware supports all transceiver modules based on Semtech SX1276 or Semtech SX1278 chips, that have an SPI interface and expose the DIO_0 interrupt pin from the chip.
Support for SX1262, SX1268 and SX1280 is being implemented. Please support the project with donations if you want this faster!
You can download and flash the firmware to all the supported boards using the RNode Config Utility. All firmware releases are now handled and installed directly through the rnodeconf utility, which is inclueded in the rns package. It can be installed via pip:
# Install rnodeconf via rns package
pip install rns --upgrade
# Install the firmware on a board with the install guide
rnodeconf --autoinstall
For more detailed instruction and in-depth guides, you can have a look at some of these resources:
If you would rather just buy a pre-made unit, you can visit my shop and purchase my particular version of the Handheld RNode, which I can assure you is made to the highest quality, and with a lot of care.
You can help support the continued development of open, free and private communications systems by donating via one of the following channels:
84FpY1QbxHcgdseePYNmhTHcrgMX4nFfBYtz2GKYToqHVVhJp8Eaw1Z1EedRnKD19b3B8NiLCGVxzKV17UMmmeEsCrPyA5w0x81F7B979fEa6134bA9FD5c701b3501A2e61E897a3CPmacGm34qYvR6XWLVEJmi2aNe3PZqUuqThe RNode Firmware is Copyright © 2023 Mark Qvist / unsigned.io, and is made available under the GNU General Public License v3.0. The source code includes an SX1276 driver that is released under MIT License, and Copyright © 2018 Sandeep Mistry / Mark Qvist.
You can obtain the source code from git.unsigned.io or GitHub.
Every RNode also includes an internal copy of it's own firmware source code, that can be downloaded through the RNode Bootstrap Console, by putting the RNode into Console Mode (which can be activated by pressing the reset button two times within two seconds).
The RNode Ecosystem is free and non-proprietary, and actively seeks to distribute it's ownership and control. If you want to build RNodes for commercial purposes, including selling them, you must do so adhering to the Open Source licenses that the various parts of the RNode project is released under, and under your own responsibility.
If you distribute or modify this work, you must adhere to the terms of the GPLv3, including, but not limited to, providing up-to-date source code upon distribution, displaying appropriate copyright and license notices in prominent positions of all conveyed works, and making users aware of their rights to the software under the GPLv3.
In practice, this means that you can use the firmware commercially, but you must understand your obligation to provide all future users of the system with the same rights, that you have been provided by the GPLv3. If you intend using the RNode Firmware commercially, it is worth reading this page.
